Archaeology

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Archaeologist
• Conservator
• Heritage manager
• Higher education lecturer
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Museum education officer
• Museum/gallery curator
• Museum/gallery exhibitions officer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Archivist
• Civil Service fast streamer
• Local government officer
• Palaeontologist
• Records manager
• Secondary school teacher
• Social researcher
• Solicitor
• Volunteer coordinator

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Work placements will usually form part of your degree course. However, it's a good idea to look for further opportunities to develop your practical skills. This can help demonstrate your commitment to working in archaeology and provide opportunities to make professional contacts.

Volunteering is a common way of gaining experience and developing your understanding of archaeological work. It's particularly useful to have fieldwork experience on several sites, including experience of handling and identifying finds and working with technology such as GIS, surveying equipment and photography.

Work placements and voluntary work with local museums, galleries and heritage organisations are also useful if you're interested in roles in this sector when you graduate.

Whatever career you're considering, experience gained through part-time work, volunteering, placements and internships can help you develop transferable skills such as research, teamwork, communication, organisation and problem solving. Any experience that involves responsibility, meeting deadlines or working with others can strengthen your CV, broaden your career options and help you stand out to employers.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Employers of archaeology graduates include:

• archaeological contractors
• independent archaeological and environmental consultancies
• local government and planning authorities
• national heritage agencies and historic property organisations
• museums (national, regional and independent) and charities
• universities and research institutions
• construction and infrastructure companies.

Careers in a range of other sectors are also available to archaeology graduates, such as:

• accountancy, finance and data analysis
• law and legal services
• marketing, media and communications
• public sector and civil service roles
• research and information services
• teaching and education.

Find information on employers in information, research and analysis, public services and administration, teacher training and education, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

During your degree, you develop a mix of subject-specific and technical skills, including:

• applying theoretical and scientific principles to archaeological problems
• field work, post-excavation and laboratory techniques
• using statistical and numerical methods to analyse archaeological data
• interpreting spatial data and using mapping tools.

An archaeology course also equips you with skills to:

• analyse complex evidence and solve problems
• plan and manage projects, often to deadlines
• work effectively as a team member or leader through field and project work
• form structured arguments supported by evidence
• use a range of IT packages and specialist software
• communicate information clearly in writing and through oral presentations for different audiences
• research, evaluate and organise information to produce reports
• work methodically and accurately, with close attention to detail
• adapt to new environments and work effectively under pressure.

This skill set is valued by a range of employers, meaning you're not limited to careers in the heritage sector.

Further study

Some archaeology graduates go on to postgraduate study to develop specialist knowledge or improve their career prospects. This may include taught or research Masters degrees in areas such as human osteology, palaeopathology, archaeological science, heritage management or related subjects such as geophysics. You'll usually need a PhD if you want to pursue a career in archaeological research or academia.

There are also a range of short courses available that can help you develop specialist skills, support professional accreditation and keep your knowledge up to date. These are offered by professional organisations, such as the:

• Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA)
• Council for British Archaeology (CBA)

Further study or professional training can also provide routes into other careers, including teaching and law, and other professions that require recognised postgraduate qualifications or conversion courses.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in archaeology.

What do archaeology graduates do?

Social and humanities scientist (23%) is the most commonly reported occupation for archaeology graduates working in the UK. Conservation professionals, sports and leisure assistants, bar staff, sales and retail assistants, business and related research professionals, and secondary education teaching professionals are also among the top ten jobs held by graduates.

Find out what other archaeology graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.